How can I prevent semi-independent royal families from rebelling against the empire?












5












$begingroup$


This global-spanning empire is divided among five royal families, each headed by a prince. The emperor himself leads the empire, with the five princes serving under him. While they owe fealty to the king who has absolute authority over the empire, these families operate semi-independently and control their realms directly, as well as their own security forces and economy. The king holds all secular power by law. however, his right to rule is given to him by the gods, with priests of the theocracy speaking on their behalf.



The selection process of becoming king is administered by the priests themselves in order to prove the future king's worthiness. A series of trials are conducted in which the heads of the five families compete against each other. These contests vary with each selection process, and these princes can participate themselves or elect a champion from their realm to compete on their behalf. The winning prince of these contests is then elected to the position of emperor, and rules until he dies. The four losing princes are ritually sacrificed to the gods. This system is meant to prevent any disputes between rival families as to who is the rightful ruler, and to keep the empire stable.



However, it is possible that a prince or several princes may simply not accept the results. They may lead their families into open rebellion to avoid their honorable fate of being sacrificed for the good of the empire. This is unacceptable, for it would tear the empire apart with various wars.



How would I prevent this from happening?










share|improve this question









$endgroup$








  • 1




    $begingroup$
    What's the tech level?
    $endgroup$
    – Sasha
    4 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    Can a prince opt out of the trials and not be killed like say a prince knows that one of the other family's is far more powerful in both might and champions and will most likely win anyway (sounds like a shitty deal if you ask me, some princes WILL be more powerful than the rest). Can’t the prince just swear to summit to the winner of the trails instead of partaking, like having a content prince who just wants to rule his realm instead of gunning to become emperor? What stops the princes from killing each other like the Daimyos from Japan were like?
    $endgroup$
    – Creed Arcon
    2 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    Also what stops the priests from rigging the trails to fit who they want to rule? Like most of the princes are more military focused but the priests do a spelling bee so that one nerd (or a prince that bribed them) has the advantage. Do the princes get a heads up on what the trails will be like beforehand so they can prepare or is it in the moment?
    $endgroup$
    – Creed Arcon
    1 hour ago










  • $begingroup$
    @CreedArcon princes cannot back out of the trials, as they were ordained by the gods and it is his destiny to participate. Yes they are told what trials there will be. And as anyone who has studied world history knows, it is impossible for any priest to be corrupt, for they are moral figures beyond approach. They speak with the authority of the gods and are merely humble servants to their divine will.
    $endgroup$
    – Incognito
    1 hour ago


















5












$begingroup$


This global-spanning empire is divided among five royal families, each headed by a prince. The emperor himself leads the empire, with the five princes serving under him. While they owe fealty to the king who has absolute authority over the empire, these families operate semi-independently and control their realms directly, as well as their own security forces and economy. The king holds all secular power by law. however, his right to rule is given to him by the gods, with priests of the theocracy speaking on their behalf.



The selection process of becoming king is administered by the priests themselves in order to prove the future king's worthiness. A series of trials are conducted in which the heads of the five families compete against each other. These contests vary with each selection process, and these princes can participate themselves or elect a champion from their realm to compete on their behalf. The winning prince of these contests is then elected to the position of emperor, and rules until he dies. The four losing princes are ritually sacrificed to the gods. This system is meant to prevent any disputes between rival families as to who is the rightful ruler, and to keep the empire stable.



However, it is possible that a prince or several princes may simply not accept the results. They may lead their families into open rebellion to avoid their honorable fate of being sacrificed for the good of the empire. This is unacceptable, for it would tear the empire apart with various wars.



How would I prevent this from happening?










share|improve this question









$endgroup$








  • 1




    $begingroup$
    What's the tech level?
    $endgroup$
    – Sasha
    4 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    Can a prince opt out of the trials and not be killed like say a prince knows that one of the other family's is far more powerful in both might and champions and will most likely win anyway (sounds like a shitty deal if you ask me, some princes WILL be more powerful than the rest). Can’t the prince just swear to summit to the winner of the trails instead of partaking, like having a content prince who just wants to rule his realm instead of gunning to become emperor? What stops the princes from killing each other like the Daimyos from Japan were like?
    $endgroup$
    – Creed Arcon
    2 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    Also what stops the priests from rigging the trails to fit who they want to rule? Like most of the princes are more military focused but the priests do a spelling bee so that one nerd (or a prince that bribed them) has the advantage. Do the princes get a heads up on what the trails will be like beforehand so they can prepare or is it in the moment?
    $endgroup$
    – Creed Arcon
    1 hour ago










  • $begingroup$
    @CreedArcon princes cannot back out of the trials, as they were ordained by the gods and it is his destiny to participate. Yes they are told what trials there will be. And as anyone who has studied world history knows, it is impossible for any priest to be corrupt, for they are moral figures beyond approach. They speak with the authority of the gods and are merely humble servants to their divine will.
    $endgroup$
    – Incognito
    1 hour ago
















5












5








5


1



$begingroup$


This global-spanning empire is divided among five royal families, each headed by a prince. The emperor himself leads the empire, with the five princes serving under him. While they owe fealty to the king who has absolute authority over the empire, these families operate semi-independently and control their realms directly, as well as their own security forces and economy. The king holds all secular power by law. however, his right to rule is given to him by the gods, with priests of the theocracy speaking on their behalf.



The selection process of becoming king is administered by the priests themselves in order to prove the future king's worthiness. A series of trials are conducted in which the heads of the five families compete against each other. These contests vary with each selection process, and these princes can participate themselves or elect a champion from their realm to compete on their behalf. The winning prince of these contests is then elected to the position of emperor, and rules until he dies. The four losing princes are ritually sacrificed to the gods. This system is meant to prevent any disputes between rival families as to who is the rightful ruler, and to keep the empire stable.



However, it is possible that a prince or several princes may simply not accept the results. They may lead their families into open rebellion to avoid their honorable fate of being sacrificed for the good of the empire. This is unacceptable, for it would tear the empire apart with various wars.



How would I prevent this from happening?










share|improve this question









$endgroup$




This global-spanning empire is divided among five royal families, each headed by a prince. The emperor himself leads the empire, with the five princes serving under him. While they owe fealty to the king who has absolute authority over the empire, these families operate semi-independently and control their realms directly, as well as their own security forces and economy. The king holds all secular power by law. however, his right to rule is given to him by the gods, with priests of the theocracy speaking on their behalf.



The selection process of becoming king is administered by the priests themselves in order to prove the future king's worthiness. A series of trials are conducted in which the heads of the five families compete against each other. These contests vary with each selection process, and these princes can participate themselves or elect a champion from their realm to compete on their behalf. The winning prince of these contests is then elected to the position of emperor, and rules until he dies. The four losing princes are ritually sacrificed to the gods. This system is meant to prevent any disputes between rival families as to who is the rightful ruler, and to keep the empire stable.



However, it is possible that a prince or several princes may simply not accept the results. They may lead their families into open rebellion to avoid their honorable fate of being sacrificed for the good of the empire. This is unacceptable, for it would tear the empire apart with various wars.



How would I prevent this from happening?







society empire-building






share|improve this question













share|improve this question











share|improve this question




share|improve this question










asked 5 hours ago









IncognitoIncognito

6,10065589




6,10065589








  • 1




    $begingroup$
    What's the tech level?
    $endgroup$
    – Sasha
    4 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    Can a prince opt out of the trials and not be killed like say a prince knows that one of the other family's is far more powerful in both might and champions and will most likely win anyway (sounds like a shitty deal if you ask me, some princes WILL be more powerful than the rest). Can’t the prince just swear to summit to the winner of the trails instead of partaking, like having a content prince who just wants to rule his realm instead of gunning to become emperor? What stops the princes from killing each other like the Daimyos from Japan were like?
    $endgroup$
    – Creed Arcon
    2 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    Also what stops the priests from rigging the trails to fit who they want to rule? Like most of the princes are more military focused but the priests do a spelling bee so that one nerd (or a prince that bribed them) has the advantage. Do the princes get a heads up on what the trails will be like beforehand so they can prepare or is it in the moment?
    $endgroup$
    – Creed Arcon
    1 hour ago










  • $begingroup$
    @CreedArcon princes cannot back out of the trials, as they were ordained by the gods and it is his destiny to participate. Yes they are told what trials there will be. And as anyone who has studied world history knows, it is impossible for any priest to be corrupt, for they are moral figures beyond approach. They speak with the authority of the gods and are merely humble servants to their divine will.
    $endgroup$
    – Incognito
    1 hour ago
















  • 1




    $begingroup$
    What's the tech level?
    $endgroup$
    – Sasha
    4 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    Can a prince opt out of the trials and not be killed like say a prince knows that one of the other family's is far more powerful in both might and champions and will most likely win anyway (sounds like a shitty deal if you ask me, some princes WILL be more powerful than the rest). Can’t the prince just swear to summit to the winner of the trails instead of partaking, like having a content prince who just wants to rule his realm instead of gunning to become emperor? What stops the princes from killing each other like the Daimyos from Japan were like?
    $endgroup$
    – Creed Arcon
    2 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    Also what stops the priests from rigging the trails to fit who they want to rule? Like most of the princes are more military focused but the priests do a spelling bee so that one nerd (or a prince that bribed them) has the advantage. Do the princes get a heads up on what the trails will be like beforehand so they can prepare or is it in the moment?
    $endgroup$
    – Creed Arcon
    1 hour ago










  • $begingroup$
    @CreedArcon princes cannot back out of the trials, as they were ordained by the gods and it is his destiny to participate. Yes they are told what trials there will be. And as anyone who has studied world history knows, it is impossible for any priest to be corrupt, for they are moral figures beyond approach. They speak with the authority of the gods and are merely humble servants to their divine will.
    $endgroup$
    – Incognito
    1 hour ago










1




1




$begingroup$
What's the tech level?
$endgroup$
– Sasha
4 hours ago




$begingroup$
What's the tech level?
$endgroup$
– Sasha
4 hours ago












$begingroup$
Can a prince opt out of the trials and not be killed like say a prince knows that one of the other family's is far more powerful in both might and champions and will most likely win anyway (sounds like a shitty deal if you ask me, some princes WILL be more powerful than the rest). Can’t the prince just swear to summit to the winner of the trails instead of partaking, like having a content prince who just wants to rule his realm instead of gunning to become emperor? What stops the princes from killing each other like the Daimyos from Japan were like?
$endgroup$
– Creed Arcon
2 hours ago




$begingroup$
Can a prince opt out of the trials and not be killed like say a prince knows that one of the other family's is far more powerful in both might and champions and will most likely win anyway (sounds like a shitty deal if you ask me, some princes WILL be more powerful than the rest). Can’t the prince just swear to summit to the winner of the trails instead of partaking, like having a content prince who just wants to rule his realm instead of gunning to become emperor? What stops the princes from killing each other like the Daimyos from Japan were like?
$endgroup$
– Creed Arcon
2 hours ago












$begingroup$
Also what stops the priests from rigging the trails to fit who they want to rule? Like most of the princes are more military focused but the priests do a spelling bee so that one nerd (or a prince that bribed them) has the advantage. Do the princes get a heads up on what the trails will be like beforehand so they can prepare or is it in the moment?
$endgroup$
– Creed Arcon
1 hour ago




$begingroup$
Also what stops the priests from rigging the trails to fit who they want to rule? Like most of the princes are more military focused but the priests do a spelling bee so that one nerd (or a prince that bribed them) has the advantage. Do the princes get a heads up on what the trails will be like beforehand so they can prepare or is it in the moment?
$endgroup$
– Creed Arcon
1 hour ago












$begingroup$
@CreedArcon princes cannot back out of the trials, as they were ordained by the gods and it is his destiny to participate. Yes they are told what trials there will be. And as anyone who has studied world history knows, it is impossible for any priest to be corrupt, for they are moral figures beyond approach. They speak with the authority of the gods and are merely humble servants to their divine will.
$endgroup$
– Incognito
1 hour ago






$begingroup$
@CreedArcon princes cannot back out of the trials, as they were ordained by the gods and it is his destiny to participate. Yes they are told what trials there will be. And as anyone who has studied world history knows, it is impossible for any priest to be corrupt, for they are moral figures beyond approach. They speak with the authority of the gods and are merely humble servants to their divine will.
$endgroup$
– Incognito
1 hour ago












5 Answers
5






active

oldest

votes


















5












$begingroup$

If I remember correctly, in ancient Japan all the daiymios had to send their sons to reside in the Shogun's castle, where they were held as hostages, as a warranty for the underling's fidelity.



The emperor can use a similar system. Each family has to give their heirs into the complete control of the emperor. Rebelling to the emperor and his designation results into the beheading of the family itself, as all of the heirs will face death.



Be faithful and you lose just one member. Betray, and you lose all your descendants.






share|improve this answer









$endgroup$





















    1












    $begingroup$

    Threat of a curse and a holy crusade.



    Since the priests are the ones doing the trials, any action against the will of the god will invoke a curse upon those who defy the will of the One. Anyone siding with them is also be cursed (does not need to be real), causing them to lose even their loyal subjects. Obviously the curse will be a black mark that will cause all other kingdoms to attack them, electing a new noble family. Since the risk of losing nobility is high and the threat of a otherworldly curse is also on the table, I bet only few will try that way. Even if one of the families revolts, it wouldn't be too difficult to subdue them.






    share|improve this answer









    $endgroup$





















      1












      $begingroup$

      Make it so each prince can command their own army, but the army they command is at an opposite end of the empire from the lands they actually control. This, while confusing, prevents any prince from consolidating military power in their home territory and using it against the emperor.






      share|improve this answer









      $endgroup$





















        0












        $begingroup$

        Change Who can Participate in the Trials



        The death trials still doesn't seem like a fair deal, like you’re the head of a family you train just for that one rich family to hire the best mercenary in the world to curb stomp you. If I was one of prince’s I would rebel just so I would not get killed and install an elective Imperium like the Holy Roman Empire (like it’s a one in five chance to win and if you lose you die). It would also make your empire unstable as well; you kill off every head of state EVERY TIME your emperor dies (also I would be pissed if my dad got killed and the new emperor was responsible).



        What would be better if you still want a holy death trial is open it up to any volunteer (could be just nobles and or commoners) so anyone who wants to risk it for the biscuit can, instated of forcing a select few to do so. Like well-known champions get sponsored by the families and if they win then they will carry favour with the next emperor. Could open up a lot of possibility’s for story telling as well, like a minor noble becomes a candidate and everyone did not see it coming or a rare sight an actual prince does the trials and every is like wow.



        if i was a prince i would be cool with that and if my son or i "volunteered" then it would seem far more holy then force us to do so. and i would not be so pissed if he or i lost because both would have known what they were getting themselves into






        share|improve this answer











        $endgroup$





















          0












          $begingroup$

          Prince-in-waiting likes the situation!



          If you are dead set on "prince dies" you make it work by having many princelings in a family. One of these immediately takes over for the family not on the death of the old one, but when the old one loses and is condemned.



          If a given losing prince refuses to accept his demotion from prince to sacrifice, there are people in his court who are eager for him to accept his fate - his heirs / brothers, one of whom is at that moment the new prince, according to the king. Revolution risks everything, and sending an older no-longer-a-prince brother off to die risks little. The military would prefer not to fight 4 other houses and so it is an easy decision for them too.



          This system falls apart if a given prince does not have an heir. Solution - princes from each families line reside safe in the capitol. These princes may or may not be next in line for the throne, but they could be. This is the system of the Romans - raise the children of your enemies as Romans. Then when they go back to rule their people, they will in theory be sympathetic to their overlords.





          Substitute prince.



          A given prince might try to dodge his fate (if he were pretty certain to lose) by ceding the princedom to some elderly half brother stand-in, drafted into rulership from civilian life and expected in short order to lose and die. The new prince holds his head high and takes it like a man for his country. Unless by chance his champion turns out to be a lot better than anyone expected...






          share|improve this answer









          $endgroup$













            Your Answer





            StackExchange.ifUsing("editor", function () {
            return StackExchange.using("mathjaxEditing", function () {
            StackExchange.MarkdownEditor.creationCallbacks.add(function (editor, postfix) {
            StackExchange.mathjaxEditing.prepareWmdForMathJax(editor, postfix, [["$", "$"], ["\\(","\\)"]]);
            });
            });
            }, "mathjax-editing");

            StackExchange.ready(function() {
            var channelOptions = {
            tags: "".split(" "),
            id: "579"
            };
            initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);

            StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
            // Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
            if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
            StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
            createEditor();
            });
            }
            else {
            createEditor();
            }
            });

            function createEditor() {
            StackExchange.prepareEditor({
            heartbeatType: 'answer',
            autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
            convertImagesToLinks: false,
            noModals: true,
            showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
            reputationToPostImages: null,
            bindNavPrevention: true,
            postfix: "",
            imageUploader: {
            brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
            contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
            allowUrls: true
            },
            noCode: true, onDemand: true,
            discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
            ,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
            });


            }
            });














            draft saved

            draft discarded


















            StackExchange.ready(
            function () {
            StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fworldbuilding.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f137182%2fhow-can-i-prevent-semi-independent-royal-families-from-rebelling-against-the-emp%23new-answer', 'question_page');
            }
            );

            Post as a guest















            Required, but never shown

























            5 Answers
            5






            active

            oldest

            votes








            5 Answers
            5






            active

            oldest

            votes









            active

            oldest

            votes






            active

            oldest

            votes









            5












            $begingroup$

            If I remember correctly, in ancient Japan all the daiymios had to send their sons to reside in the Shogun's castle, where they were held as hostages, as a warranty for the underling's fidelity.



            The emperor can use a similar system. Each family has to give their heirs into the complete control of the emperor. Rebelling to the emperor and his designation results into the beheading of the family itself, as all of the heirs will face death.



            Be faithful and you lose just one member. Betray, and you lose all your descendants.






            share|improve this answer









            $endgroup$


















              5












              $begingroup$

              If I remember correctly, in ancient Japan all the daiymios had to send their sons to reside in the Shogun's castle, where they were held as hostages, as a warranty for the underling's fidelity.



              The emperor can use a similar system. Each family has to give their heirs into the complete control of the emperor. Rebelling to the emperor and his designation results into the beheading of the family itself, as all of the heirs will face death.



              Be faithful and you lose just one member. Betray, and you lose all your descendants.






              share|improve this answer









              $endgroup$
















                5












                5








                5





                $begingroup$

                If I remember correctly, in ancient Japan all the daiymios had to send their sons to reside in the Shogun's castle, where they were held as hostages, as a warranty for the underling's fidelity.



                The emperor can use a similar system. Each family has to give their heirs into the complete control of the emperor. Rebelling to the emperor and his designation results into the beheading of the family itself, as all of the heirs will face death.



                Be faithful and you lose just one member. Betray, and you lose all your descendants.






                share|improve this answer









                $endgroup$



                If I remember correctly, in ancient Japan all the daiymios had to send their sons to reside in the Shogun's castle, where they were held as hostages, as a warranty for the underling's fidelity.



                The emperor can use a similar system. Each family has to give their heirs into the complete control of the emperor. Rebelling to the emperor and his designation results into the beheading of the family itself, as all of the heirs will face death.



                Be faithful and you lose just one member. Betray, and you lose all your descendants.







                share|improve this answer












                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer










                answered 5 hours ago









                L.DutchL.Dutch

                80.4k26192391




                80.4k26192391























                    1












                    $begingroup$

                    Threat of a curse and a holy crusade.



                    Since the priests are the ones doing the trials, any action against the will of the god will invoke a curse upon those who defy the will of the One. Anyone siding with them is also be cursed (does not need to be real), causing them to lose even their loyal subjects. Obviously the curse will be a black mark that will cause all other kingdoms to attack them, electing a new noble family. Since the risk of losing nobility is high and the threat of a otherworldly curse is also on the table, I bet only few will try that way. Even if one of the families revolts, it wouldn't be too difficult to subdue them.






                    share|improve this answer









                    $endgroup$


















                      1












                      $begingroup$

                      Threat of a curse and a holy crusade.



                      Since the priests are the ones doing the trials, any action against the will of the god will invoke a curse upon those who defy the will of the One. Anyone siding with them is also be cursed (does not need to be real), causing them to lose even their loyal subjects. Obviously the curse will be a black mark that will cause all other kingdoms to attack them, electing a new noble family. Since the risk of losing nobility is high and the threat of a otherworldly curse is also on the table, I bet only few will try that way. Even if one of the families revolts, it wouldn't be too difficult to subdue them.






                      share|improve this answer









                      $endgroup$
















                        1












                        1








                        1





                        $begingroup$

                        Threat of a curse and a holy crusade.



                        Since the priests are the ones doing the trials, any action against the will of the god will invoke a curse upon those who defy the will of the One. Anyone siding with them is also be cursed (does not need to be real), causing them to lose even their loyal subjects. Obviously the curse will be a black mark that will cause all other kingdoms to attack them, electing a new noble family. Since the risk of losing nobility is high and the threat of a otherworldly curse is also on the table, I bet only few will try that way. Even if one of the families revolts, it wouldn't be too difficult to subdue them.






                        share|improve this answer









                        $endgroup$



                        Threat of a curse and a holy crusade.



                        Since the priests are the ones doing the trials, any action against the will of the god will invoke a curse upon those who defy the will of the One. Anyone siding with them is also be cursed (does not need to be real), causing them to lose even their loyal subjects. Obviously the curse will be a black mark that will cause all other kingdoms to attack them, electing a new noble family. Since the risk of losing nobility is high and the threat of a otherworldly curse is also on the table, I bet only few will try that way. Even if one of the families revolts, it wouldn't be too difficult to subdue them.







                        share|improve this answer












                        share|improve this answer



                        share|improve this answer










                        answered 4 hours ago









                        Cem KalyoncuCem Kalyoncu

                        5,57811033




                        5,57811033























                            1












                            $begingroup$

                            Make it so each prince can command their own army, but the army they command is at an opposite end of the empire from the lands they actually control. This, while confusing, prevents any prince from consolidating military power in their home territory and using it against the emperor.






                            share|improve this answer









                            $endgroup$


















                              1












                              $begingroup$

                              Make it so each prince can command their own army, but the army they command is at an opposite end of the empire from the lands they actually control. This, while confusing, prevents any prince from consolidating military power in their home territory and using it against the emperor.






                              share|improve this answer









                              $endgroup$
















                                1












                                1








                                1





                                $begingroup$

                                Make it so each prince can command their own army, but the army they command is at an opposite end of the empire from the lands they actually control. This, while confusing, prevents any prince from consolidating military power in their home territory and using it against the emperor.






                                share|improve this answer









                                $endgroup$



                                Make it so each prince can command their own army, but the army they command is at an opposite end of the empire from the lands they actually control. This, while confusing, prevents any prince from consolidating military power in their home territory and using it against the emperor.







                                share|improve this answer












                                share|improve this answer



                                share|improve this answer










                                answered 3 hours ago









                                The Weasel SagasThe Weasel Sagas

                                1,167121




                                1,167121























                                    0












                                    $begingroup$

                                    Change Who can Participate in the Trials



                                    The death trials still doesn't seem like a fair deal, like you’re the head of a family you train just for that one rich family to hire the best mercenary in the world to curb stomp you. If I was one of prince’s I would rebel just so I would not get killed and install an elective Imperium like the Holy Roman Empire (like it’s a one in five chance to win and if you lose you die). It would also make your empire unstable as well; you kill off every head of state EVERY TIME your emperor dies (also I would be pissed if my dad got killed and the new emperor was responsible).



                                    What would be better if you still want a holy death trial is open it up to any volunteer (could be just nobles and or commoners) so anyone who wants to risk it for the biscuit can, instated of forcing a select few to do so. Like well-known champions get sponsored by the families and if they win then they will carry favour with the next emperor. Could open up a lot of possibility’s for story telling as well, like a minor noble becomes a candidate and everyone did not see it coming or a rare sight an actual prince does the trials and every is like wow.



                                    if i was a prince i would be cool with that and if my son or i "volunteered" then it would seem far more holy then force us to do so. and i would not be so pissed if he or i lost because both would have known what they were getting themselves into






                                    share|improve this answer











                                    $endgroup$


















                                      0












                                      $begingroup$

                                      Change Who can Participate in the Trials



                                      The death trials still doesn't seem like a fair deal, like you’re the head of a family you train just for that one rich family to hire the best mercenary in the world to curb stomp you. If I was one of prince’s I would rebel just so I would not get killed and install an elective Imperium like the Holy Roman Empire (like it’s a one in five chance to win and if you lose you die). It would also make your empire unstable as well; you kill off every head of state EVERY TIME your emperor dies (also I would be pissed if my dad got killed and the new emperor was responsible).



                                      What would be better if you still want a holy death trial is open it up to any volunteer (could be just nobles and or commoners) so anyone who wants to risk it for the biscuit can, instated of forcing a select few to do so. Like well-known champions get sponsored by the families and if they win then they will carry favour with the next emperor. Could open up a lot of possibility’s for story telling as well, like a minor noble becomes a candidate and everyone did not see it coming or a rare sight an actual prince does the trials and every is like wow.



                                      if i was a prince i would be cool with that and if my son or i "volunteered" then it would seem far more holy then force us to do so. and i would not be so pissed if he or i lost because both would have known what they were getting themselves into






                                      share|improve this answer











                                      $endgroup$
















                                        0












                                        0








                                        0





                                        $begingroup$

                                        Change Who can Participate in the Trials



                                        The death trials still doesn't seem like a fair deal, like you’re the head of a family you train just for that one rich family to hire the best mercenary in the world to curb stomp you. If I was one of prince’s I would rebel just so I would not get killed and install an elective Imperium like the Holy Roman Empire (like it’s a one in five chance to win and if you lose you die). It would also make your empire unstable as well; you kill off every head of state EVERY TIME your emperor dies (also I would be pissed if my dad got killed and the new emperor was responsible).



                                        What would be better if you still want a holy death trial is open it up to any volunteer (could be just nobles and or commoners) so anyone who wants to risk it for the biscuit can, instated of forcing a select few to do so. Like well-known champions get sponsored by the families and if they win then they will carry favour with the next emperor. Could open up a lot of possibility’s for story telling as well, like a minor noble becomes a candidate and everyone did not see it coming or a rare sight an actual prince does the trials and every is like wow.



                                        if i was a prince i would be cool with that and if my son or i "volunteered" then it would seem far more holy then force us to do so. and i would not be so pissed if he or i lost because both would have known what they were getting themselves into






                                        share|improve this answer











                                        $endgroup$



                                        Change Who can Participate in the Trials



                                        The death trials still doesn't seem like a fair deal, like you’re the head of a family you train just for that one rich family to hire the best mercenary in the world to curb stomp you. If I was one of prince’s I would rebel just so I would not get killed and install an elective Imperium like the Holy Roman Empire (like it’s a one in five chance to win and if you lose you die). It would also make your empire unstable as well; you kill off every head of state EVERY TIME your emperor dies (also I would be pissed if my dad got killed and the new emperor was responsible).



                                        What would be better if you still want a holy death trial is open it up to any volunteer (could be just nobles and or commoners) so anyone who wants to risk it for the biscuit can, instated of forcing a select few to do so. Like well-known champions get sponsored by the families and if they win then they will carry favour with the next emperor. Could open up a lot of possibility’s for story telling as well, like a minor noble becomes a candidate and everyone did not see it coming or a rare sight an actual prince does the trials and every is like wow.



                                        if i was a prince i would be cool with that and if my son or i "volunteered" then it would seem far more holy then force us to do so. and i would not be so pissed if he or i lost because both would have known what they were getting themselves into







                                        share|improve this answer














                                        share|improve this answer



                                        share|improve this answer








                                        edited 1 hour ago

























                                        answered 1 hour ago









                                        Creed ArconCreed Arcon

                                        2,04711237




                                        2,04711237























                                            0












                                            $begingroup$

                                            Prince-in-waiting likes the situation!



                                            If you are dead set on "prince dies" you make it work by having many princelings in a family. One of these immediately takes over for the family not on the death of the old one, but when the old one loses and is condemned.



                                            If a given losing prince refuses to accept his demotion from prince to sacrifice, there are people in his court who are eager for him to accept his fate - his heirs / brothers, one of whom is at that moment the new prince, according to the king. Revolution risks everything, and sending an older no-longer-a-prince brother off to die risks little. The military would prefer not to fight 4 other houses and so it is an easy decision for them too.



                                            This system falls apart if a given prince does not have an heir. Solution - princes from each families line reside safe in the capitol. These princes may or may not be next in line for the throne, but they could be. This is the system of the Romans - raise the children of your enemies as Romans. Then when they go back to rule their people, they will in theory be sympathetic to their overlords.





                                            Substitute prince.



                                            A given prince might try to dodge his fate (if he were pretty certain to lose) by ceding the princedom to some elderly half brother stand-in, drafted into rulership from civilian life and expected in short order to lose and die. The new prince holds his head high and takes it like a man for his country. Unless by chance his champion turns out to be a lot better than anyone expected...






                                            share|improve this answer









                                            $endgroup$


















                                              0












                                              $begingroup$

                                              Prince-in-waiting likes the situation!



                                              If you are dead set on "prince dies" you make it work by having many princelings in a family. One of these immediately takes over for the family not on the death of the old one, but when the old one loses and is condemned.



                                              If a given losing prince refuses to accept his demotion from prince to sacrifice, there are people in his court who are eager for him to accept his fate - his heirs / brothers, one of whom is at that moment the new prince, according to the king. Revolution risks everything, and sending an older no-longer-a-prince brother off to die risks little. The military would prefer not to fight 4 other houses and so it is an easy decision for them too.



                                              This system falls apart if a given prince does not have an heir. Solution - princes from each families line reside safe in the capitol. These princes may or may not be next in line for the throne, but they could be. This is the system of the Romans - raise the children of your enemies as Romans. Then when they go back to rule their people, they will in theory be sympathetic to their overlords.





                                              Substitute prince.



                                              A given prince might try to dodge his fate (if he were pretty certain to lose) by ceding the princedom to some elderly half brother stand-in, drafted into rulership from civilian life and expected in short order to lose and die. The new prince holds his head high and takes it like a man for his country. Unless by chance his champion turns out to be a lot better than anyone expected...






                                              share|improve this answer









                                              $endgroup$
















                                                0












                                                0








                                                0





                                                $begingroup$

                                                Prince-in-waiting likes the situation!



                                                If you are dead set on "prince dies" you make it work by having many princelings in a family. One of these immediately takes over for the family not on the death of the old one, but when the old one loses and is condemned.



                                                If a given losing prince refuses to accept his demotion from prince to sacrifice, there are people in his court who are eager for him to accept his fate - his heirs / brothers, one of whom is at that moment the new prince, according to the king. Revolution risks everything, and sending an older no-longer-a-prince brother off to die risks little. The military would prefer not to fight 4 other houses and so it is an easy decision for them too.



                                                This system falls apart if a given prince does not have an heir. Solution - princes from each families line reside safe in the capitol. These princes may or may not be next in line for the throne, but they could be. This is the system of the Romans - raise the children of your enemies as Romans. Then when they go back to rule their people, they will in theory be sympathetic to their overlords.





                                                Substitute prince.



                                                A given prince might try to dodge his fate (if he were pretty certain to lose) by ceding the princedom to some elderly half brother stand-in, drafted into rulership from civilian life and expected in short order to lose and die. The new prince holds his head high and takes it like a man for his country. Unless by chance his champion turns out to be a lot better than anyone expected...






                                                share|improve this answer









                                                $endgroup$



                                                Prince-in-waiting likes the situation!



                                                If you are dead set on "prince dies" you make it work by having many princelings in a family. One of these immediately takes over for the family not on the death of the old one, but when the old one loses and is condemned.



                                                If a given losing prince refuses to accept his demotion from prince to sacrifice, there are people in his court who are eager for him to accept his fate - his heirs / brothers, one of whom is at that moment the new prince, according to the king. Revolution risks everything, and sending an older no-longer-a-prince brother off to die risks little. The military would prefer not to fight 4 other houses and so it is an easy decision for them too.



                                                This system falls apart if a given prince does not have an heir. Solution - princes from each families line reside safe in the capitol. These princes may or may not be next in line for the throne, but they could be. This is the system of the Romans - raise the children of your enemies as Romans. Then when they go back to rule their people, they will in theory be sympathetic to their overlords.





                                                Substitute prince.



                                                A given prince might try to dodge his fate (if he were pretty certain to lose) by ceding the princedom to some elderly half brother stand-in, drafted into rulership from civilian life and expected in short order to lose and die. The new prince holds his head high and takes it like a man for his country. Unless by chance his champion turns out to be a lot better than anyone expected...







                                                share|improve this answer












                                                share|improve this answer



                                                share|improve this answer










                                                answered 25 mins ago









                                                WillkWillk

                                                104k25197440




                                                104k25197440






























                                                    draft saved

                                                    draft discarded




















































                                                    Thanks for contributing an answer to Worldbuilding Stack Exchange!


                                                    • Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!

                                                    But avoid



                                                    • Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.

                                                    • Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.


                                                    Use MathJax to format equations. MathJax reference.


                                                    To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.




                                                    draft saved


                                                    draft discarded














                                                    StackExchange.ready(
                                                    function () {
                                                    StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fworldbuilding.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f137182%2fhow-can-i-prevent-semi-independent-royal-families-from-rebelling-against-the-emp%23new-answer', 'question_page');
                                                    }
                                                    );

                                                    Post as a guest















                                                    Required, but never shown





















































                                                    Required, but never shown














                                                    Required, but never shown












                                                    Required, but never shown







                                                    Required, but never shown

































                                                    Required, but never shown














                                                    Required, but never shown












                                                    Required, but never shown







                                                    Required, but never shown







                                                    Popular posts from this blog

                                                    How to make a Squid Proxy server?

                                                    Is this a new Fibonacci Identity?

                                                    19世紀